I've always loved the sound of transformers and ballast

Dang Terry, you're a real buzz killer! 😃

Thanks, man. I just tightened up this old RCA Victor radio transformer based on your work. No vibrating, lower noise.

Just saved me buying a new transformer for my vocal processing unit. Thanks a million!

Terry, Terry, he’s our man. If he can’t fix it, nobody can. :-)

Thanks Terry! I've been wondering how I can get past this issue on a huge bass amplifier power transformer I've got. The buzz makes me not want to use the amp, but now there's hope. You're the best!

I like that you added a fuse to make it safe too.

Terry, over a half century ago as a 13 year old I soldered my first shortwave receiver together. The next year I built an even better box and would stay up until dawn listening to the world and getting my DSL cards. I was inspired by your videos and thought if a 13 year old kid could build it then a 68 year old geezer could do it. I found a filthy 1939 Philco 180-40 at the local flea. I stripped out the chassis and installed a hybrid Champ/Princeton amp kit. I now have a rockin' 15 watt amp in a completely refinished cab that looks and sound great. Thanks for the inspiration and as always fruit of the vine is mighty, mighty fine. Best regards, Giovanni

@gideonkloosterman

4 жыл бұрын

Awesome!

Good job Terry! Thanks for this video

Great Video Terry! I had never seen that done. Well worth the time, then replacing with a new/non original transformer.

Oil-based poly only. If you use the water-based type, it can aggravate any rust that's starting between the laminations.

good video, I look forward to seeing it every time you post one on KZread

I love videos like this. Thanks.

Great repair Terry!!!

I've done pretty much the same thing but used shellac instead. Worked really well. The transformer is completely quiet now. I was really happy. I hate noisy transformers.

Terry you are a crack up thanks for the laugh!!! I have to say that's one of the coolest repairs that I've ever seen done buddy you are the man!!!!! Thanks a lot for sharing your knowledge brother and God bless you....

Great job!!! Very impressed...

Great, U Rock :) Your methode works good. I found that puting very soft absorbers like EVA mousse under the transformer works better with this methode. Not too tight the bolt on base fixer on chassis and the vibration's quite well disappearing.

I have the same problem, going to try this fix. Hopefully, that will work for me. THANKYOU

That's how I work on my electronics at home, with a suoer-full glass of red wine!

Nice video! Thanks a lot for sharing your knowledge!

Thanks ,you just helped solve an issue I've been having with a tube type record player.

Great fix, love it when we actually repair and not replace stuff...except that empty bottle of Modo red

Yes great job.. Sometimes old television vertical output transformers and yokes buzzz as well.

Great Video Terry

Thanks for sharing, I never had to do this, but is worth knowing.

Nice Naional, Great video!

Awesome!!! Maybe you could use the vibrations to help flow the lacquer further down. Much like the vibrating tool concrete workers use to get concrete into hard to reach places.

Could a xformer be epoxy potted like a guitar pickup?

I'm jealous of your lifestyle. You get to fix tube electronics and drink wine all day.

@TahirKhan-vb9mo

4 жыл бұрын

need to be tight firmly assembly nut bolts

Hi Terry! A few years ago I had a very good National Radio NC-88 for Dexism.

THX TERRY great video. hope you have a great day!!

I've got two vintage amps with hum I've never been able to fix. Got a hunch this vid may help me

@auntjenifer7774

4 жыл бұрын

My 69 bassman head has this problem now, I rocked hard into a 4 ohm peavey speaker cab and it sounded great that night but now everytime I turn it on it's just buzz.

Great tip. Thanks.

Just watched your video on buzzing transformers! GREAT video, I have the exact same problem going on with a 1956 Telefunken Gavotte 7 Export Radio. I don't know if it will be as easy to resolve as yours. Love your motto, "drink wine with every video".

Nice one, Terry! I've used fingernail polish with similar results.

Thank you, brother, for sharing the video, and I wish you would completely submerge the transformer inside the insulation varnish

So this is one of the few times it's ok to be a buzz killer. Love D-Lab! Never miss an episode. Waiting for some Tube Amp Thee-ater!

Would it be advantageous to brush in the glue while the transformer is on? This would vibrate the glue into the finest cracks,then turn off transformer and clamp

My stereo buzzing has driven me insane, and I'm considering this repair... I'll report back if I work up the courage to dismantle it 😂

Beautiful old radio.

Always makes my day when I see a video up from Terry. I have an NC-88 and would like to add a fuse to it as well. Would you be able to show that process and to figure out how to determine what size fuseramous to use?

Great video!

Nice job 👍

I got a Recordio Reel to Reel amp but I am unable to identify the only transformer which I assume is the output transformer. Evidently the actual power transformer was mounted off board since the 5Y3 and primary filter cap was on the chassis and there was a large multi-wire octal plug and socket coming into the chassis at that point. great video

Well done

Always Genius!

Interesting. I have ben struggling with some Allen 90 Organ amps that have a similar problem. Thank you

Dear Mr. D-lab, thanks for another amazing video. This transformer is not defective. It is ill constructed and probably ill designed. On a well-constructed transformer* the laminations should be held in place by interference fitting, requiring no glue, bolts or brackets. The tight hug of the coil is what holds them. We can see that the core is falling apart and that's not a good sign. The bolts that attach the mounting frames should not touch the laminations otherwise they will short them out and produce eddy currents, another source of humming and buzzing. That's why their shafts must be wrapped with paper or heat shrink tubing. Humming and buzzing can also be caused by an improper design, especially when the core is undersized and/or the number of turns on the primary is not very well calculated. This will cause the core to saturate, dramatically increasing the primary's idle (magnetizing) current. That's why people recommend replacement instead of repair: because there's nothing to be repaired. Of course, you managed to tame that beast and so you deserve your glass of wine. Please keep on releasing these always enjoyable videos. Yours truly. *Edit: for this kind of application.

@jean-marcbolduc1342

5 жыл бұрын

You appear knowledgeable. My Emerson 141 makes a vibrating sound, (like putting a hard plastic didlo against the chassis) only the first tube on left lights up maybe dim not sure how bright suppose to be and no sound from speaker. This radio Is suppose to work was damaged during shipping. Any thoughts would be welcome.

Now I think know where this sound come from ! At first I was thinking it was capacitors but they look good and thé sound don't come from the speaker but the board of the sub amp itself !

Another adhesive you might use is a bottle of 'Thin CA" from Hobby Lobby or equivalent. The thin adhesive wicks itself into very tiny cracks. I've had it run twelve inches up a crack in a wood guitar body on its own. Then clamp up for a while (I usually let it sit longer than the label says it needs).

Terry !!!!! Any solution for removing rust from the laminated layers on an old power transformer ? , I want to use it in a tube amp build ,I will paint it as well

Nice!! Getting buzzed while fixing the buzz...LOL

I have a guitar amp buzzing like hell just like this.. but the transformer is in a metal casing with no way to get to the plates without breaking it open.. how can I tell what type to get as a replacement is it based on the volts? Thanks!

hi i have a question could a weak or a going bad audio output transformer give you a distortion sound on a vintage 1954 admiral record player, i did replace all the capacitors and even the main electrolytic capacitor and it is still there, please let me know what you think i really would appreciate it. thanks ted

Hi Terry, thanks for the video. I have one question for you. I have built AX84 guitar amp and I am getting big hum. When I use one transformer there is no hum but with another one tgere is huge hum. Difference between these two transformers is tgat the one that makes hum has secondary for rectifier heaters which are not in use as the amp has solid diode rectifier. I have grounded toth center taps and there is still hum. Do you have any idea what can cause such hum,?

Nice video! Does it works for vintage guitar valve amp?

what is the liquid you applied to the transformer? and where can I find it? thanks. ☺ ☺☺

How would you suggest I cover the transformer wires inside ( under the bell covers) after changing them. The sticky shellac like paper was covering the wires which I had to remove to change the wires. I'm not sure what to do. Thanks

Can u change a fender 160 stage amp to a tubey one ?? Please ted ?

Yeah first... Get it Terry...

Hello Terry, I put superglue on the top plates to remove the buzzing. Now there is absolutely no buzzing, but the whole radio chassis vibrates when I touch it. Doesn't make a rattling or buzzing sound, of course. What to do?

Great!

Is DEFT the same as clear yacht varnish? I don't know if we can get it here in the UK?

Terry, I think that you got a BUZZ from the Motto wine.

Iv'e got a black and white tv, with the same problem. starts buzzing as soon as tv is turned on and gets hot...not sure if its supposed to get that hot. TV works fine just the transformer issue. is it safe to use like that or i need to replace it?

Can this be done with Boombox Transformers as well

Hi sir, what is the liquid that you are used to fix it?!?

Thank you Terry, this was really informative. At first I was thinking this was a mistake, that the lacquer wouldn’t hold and it would probably be best to use some epoxy but you really quashed that. I never would have thought the transformer would have gotten that quiet. No way no how but you did it! Do you feel that it was just the heat and vibration over the years that caused the separation of the plates or was it poorly built in the first place? Would epoxy have worked in this instance? Also, someone mentioned thin CA glue, do you have any thoughts on that? If you are busy or don’t feel like answering any of this don’t worry about it, I was just curious. Thanks again, Buddy

@d-labelectronics

6 жыл бұрын

Hi Buddy, I have not heard of the thin CA glue, but will check into it. The plates that fell off had no sign of adhesive, so my thought is just poor construction back in the day. I would assume that epoxy would have to be thinned so that it would seep into the fine cracks between laminates. Not sure if the DEFT was the best choice, but seem to have corrected the issue, no weird smells or smoke yet!

@budandbean1

6 жыл бұрын

Thanks for your wonderful response. Frankly, I’d think a thin CA or CY glue would be to thin to use, and you are most likely correct when you say the epoxy would need to be thinned too. You probably used the best stuff to use, I’m glad I saw this and I’m certainly going to remember it. You don’t come up against this all the time but certainly every once in a blue moon. This has been a great video.

What kind of adhesive is that? 2 component epoxy? They don't sell DEFT in my country and even if they did, that brand has a lot of different stuff. Hope you can give me an answer so i can silence my Dynaco trafos.

Done this to mesa-boogie (guitar amp) power trafo, but (thank god) in my case laminations were fine it was that copper ribbon trembling loudly, like really loudly. i had it resoldered and cover everything with pcb varnish. now its silent as it can be.

Is DEFT just and poly lacquer?

Is it possible to do the same thing if the coil part of the transformer is "singing?"

@d-labelectronics

6 жыл бұрын

I would have to hear the tone and see how it reacts to pressure

What product from DEFT are you using? Great video! Thanks

@johnschmeising5787

4 жыл бұрын

Deft is a wood finish. Probably doesn't matter if its satin or gloss. It IS however, hella stanky! Ventilation is key.

Thank you for this video! I have heard of doing this but never saw it done. I want to try this on a 27 year old power transformer in a guitar amp that is vibrating the whole chassis. Is that Deft just lacquer?

@d-labelectronics

6 жыл бұрын

Hello Wade, Yes, the can states "clear brushing lacquer"

@wadereynoldsgm

6 жыл бұрын

D-lab Electronics Great, thank you! Keep the great videos coming. They are very educational and entertaining.

@donrutter6765

6 жыл бұрын

Testors model glue/paint makes those little model paints in a clear laquer. When I was a kid they were 50 cents a bottle, probably 3 bucks a bottle now. Lol 😁

I didn't know that Clear Wood Finish would stick or be a good adhesive for the loose Iron core Laminations. I thought that Laminations was made out of Iron Core or not wood. I'm guessing the Laminates are some type of wood?

Hmm I wouldn't try using Deft on a guitar amplifier transformer hehe. I imagine it would heat up, smoke, make a hell of a mess. Struggling to find a product that would be suitable tbh.. all the high temp laquer I find is in spray cans.

dont they use a type of vanish on the transformer plates when its made? Because Ive seen people using varnish to stop this buzzing. Ive also seen someone throw it in water and rusted it quiet. lol Great video !

Were you still able to hear radio channels before fixing transformer or like my radio just vibrationg clanking sound from the chassis area and no sound from speaker at all

@d-labelectronics

5 жыл бұрын

Yes, it did receive, just had the nasty buzz from the transformer

Hi, thanks for the video. How do you make the same thing when you can't open the transformer ? Like the one at 9:00 ? thanks for the answer.

@alphabeets

2 жыл бұрын

Put it in a pressure cooker filled with lacquer?

"Clampity doo-dahs"? It's Ned Flanders folks.

what are your thoughts about immersing the whole transformer, then placing it, immersed, in a vacuum chamber to pull as much product between the plates as possible?

@d-labelectronics

4 жыл бұрын

Great idea. I thought about doing that but did not want to unwire the tranny from the radio

@alphabeets

2 жыл бұрын

Or maybe submerse the entire transformer in warm lacquer?

Great, im from argentina and i want to know if DEFT is RESIN? when i traduced its appear like some adjetive...thanks

@Frankcw43506

5 жыл бұрын

Deft is brand of lacquer finish made for wood

Sir, How can I GET Vintage Solid Tinned Wire for Repairing 40s Tube Radio ??

Since this video is nearly 4 years old, I don't expect a timely response or any possibly. Anyway, own a Roland Keyboard circa 1993. I refurbished recently as Roland used this "red epoxy" that over time leaked and caused the keys to stick. Fortunately none of the seeping glue found its way to any of the electronic components in the keyboard. When I powered it on everything worked but about 30-40 mins later there was a very significant hum coming from, what I later identified, as the area where the internal power supply is. I went onto on of the posting boards specifically for keyboards and was told that the most likely culprit were the capacitors. Upon further examination, there is no visible deformation but I do see what appears to be leakage at the base of the caps. Might this be the cause of the noise?

Will this work in a guitar amp?

So you're able to touch the outside of the transformer while it's on because it's grounded?

@JulianA-tr6pt

6 жыл бұрын

You can touch the outside of it regardless of the ground. The ground he mentioned was probably just the center tap, not actual earth ground, notice how the radio only had a 2 conductor power cord. It's ungrounded. In a transformer, it's the wires that will shock you if electricity finds a path through you.

What causes the buzz? I thought the transformer worked by induction, so what would cause mechanical vibration? Alternating magnetic field acting on the loose plates?

Is not any risk of fire with that "glue"?

What exactly is that adhesive? Is it only Deft or did you mix it with something else?

MOTTO= Good Vibrations. OK!

Please answer me my amp head does this to will it cause damage?

@d-labelectronics

6 жыл бұрын

Hello, wont hurt the amp, just will irritate you with the buzz

@Gothguitarist

6 жыл бұрын

D-lab Electronics yeah the buzz comes from inside the guitar head

I don't understand the doubt that it would work when lacquering the plates like this has been done for years?

@d-labelectronics

6 жыл бұрын

The doubt is, can the lacquer seep deep enough to solve the buzzing. Not like when it was manufactured with all plate surfaces available. Most forums recommend replacing the transformer rather than attempting repair.

@oneofthemodels

6 жыл бұрын

D-lab Electronics hell yeah isn't it about saving more money so we can buy more wine duh?!?!! Haha Grace video man really enjoyed it!

Just curious to know if your power transformer still does not buzz

@d-labelectronics

5 жыл бұрын

The RX has a new owner, for the last 6 months, no reports of buzzing

@allysinmonroe9616

5 жыл бұрын

I own a pioneer A-7 stereo. It’s power transformer had a loud buzz which picks up in 15 mins and it’s about 190hz high freq buzz just like in this video . How ever the laminations were solid when I checked it unlike yours , where u could physically see them separated . In my case the buzz was coming from the internal s of the PT. Anyway I applied hot varnish by pouring it on the transformer. The buzzing went but returned after 2 months . So I dipped the entire power transformer in hot varnish . Now it’s silent again though just a 10% buzz is there as compared to 80% buzz before ( this 10% buzz begins to make itself known after 50 mins ). Testing it out. What do u think ?

Put it in the vacuum in varnish, that's how they make them these days

Useful tips there, but "flow" is not a transitive verb !

Wine assistant!!!

I need to ask you as I don't know who eals to ask about Peavey backstage 110 NEW! 198? On eBay Hermies delivery. Opened it speaker baffle pushed in wood fixing broken transformer pushed back bent chassis up to sercuit board and cracked it .got full refund and told keeping it as they were sorry. NOW CAN IT BE FIXED .and buy what type of tech . I'm in London England 😭😭😭😭😭😭 it's NEW...

Why not just buy a new one at this point? When is the right time to discard these transformers?

I'm guessing this drying up was caused by overheating. Check those electrolytics!